What is
osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis
is a type ofarthritis
that is
caused by
the
breakdown
and eventual
loss of thecartilageof
one or more
joints.
Cartilage is
a protein
substance
that serves
as a
"cushion"
between the
bones of the
joints.
Osteoarthritis
is also
known as
degenerative
arthritis.

Osteoarthritis
commonly
affects the
hands,feet,spine,
and large
weight-bearing
joints, such
as the hips
and knees.

Causes of osteoarthritis:

Primary
osteoarthritis
is mostly
related to
aging. With
aging, the
water
content of
the
cartilage
increases,
and the
protein
makeup of
cartilage
degenerates.
Eventually,
cartilage
begins to
degenerate
by flaking
or forming
tiny
crevasses.
In advanced
cases, there
is a total
loss of
cartilage
cushion
between the
bones of the
joints.
Repetitive
use of the
worn joints
over the
years can
irritate and
inflame the
cartilage,
causingjoint
painand
swelling.
Loss of the
cartilage
cushion
causes
friction
between the
bones,
leading to
pain and
limitation
of joint
mobility.
Inflammation
of the
cartilage
can also
stimulate
new bone
outgrowths
(spurs, also
referred to
as
osteophytes)
to form
around the
joints.
Osteoarthritis
occasionally
can develop
in multiple
members of
the same
family,
implying a
hereditary
(genetic)
basis for
this
condition.

Obesity
causes
osteoarthritis
by
increasing
the
mechanical
stress on
the
cartilage.
In fact,
next to
aging,
obesity is
the most
powerfulrisk
factorfor
osteoarthritis
of the
knees. The
early
development
of
osteoarthritis
of the knees
among weight
lifters is
believed to
be in part
due to their
high body
weight.
Repeated
trauma to
joint
tissues
(ligaments,
bones, and
cartilage)
is believed
to lead to
early
osteoarthritis
of the knees
in soccer
players.

Some people
are born
with
abnormally
formed
joints
(congenital
abnormalities)
that are
vulnerable
to
mechanical
wear,
causing
early
degeneration
and loss of
joint
cartilage.
Osteoarthritis
of the hip
joints is
commonly
related to
structural
abnormalities
of these
joints that
had been
present
since birth.

Osteoarthritis
symptoms:

Osteoarthritis
is a disease
of the
joints. The
most common
symptom of
osteoarthritis
is pain in
the affected
joint(s)
after
repetitive
use. Joint
pain is
usually
worse later
in the day.
There can be
swelling,
warmth, and
creaking of
the affected
joints. Pain
and
stiffness of
the joints
can also
occur after
long periods
of
inactivity
(for
example,
sitting in a
theater). In
severe
osteoarthritis,
complete
loss of the
cartilage
cushion
causes
friction
between
bones,
causing pain
at rest or
pain with
limited
motion.

Osteoarthritis
of the knees
is often
associated
with excess
upper body
weight, with
obesity, or
a history of
repeated
injury
and/or joint
surgery.
Progressive
cartilage
degeneration
of the knee
joints can
lead to
deformity
and outward
curvature of
the knees,
which is
referred to
as being
"bowlegged."
People with
osteoarthritis
of the
weight-bearing
joints (like
the knees)
can develop
a limp. The
limping can
worsen as
more
cartilage
degenerates.
In some
patients,
the pain,
limping, and
joint
dysfunction
may not
respond to
medications
or other
conservative
measures.
Therefore,
severe
osteoarthritis
of the knees
is one of
the most
common
reasons for
total knee
replacementsurgery.

Osteoarthritis
of the
cervical
spine or
lumbar spine
causes pain
in the neck
or low back.
Bony spurs,
called
osteophytes,
that form
along the
arthritic
spine can
irritate
spinal
nerves,
causing
severe pain,
numbness,
and tingling
of the
affected
parts of the
body.

Osteoarthritis
causes the
formation of
hard, bony
enlargements
of the small
joints of
the fingers.
Classic bony
enlargement
of the small
joint at the
end of the
fingers is
called aHeberden's
node. The
bony
deformity is
a result of
thebone
spursfrom
the
osteoarthritis
in that
joint.
Another
common bony
knob (node)
occurs at
the middle
joint of the
fingers in
many
patients
with
osteoarthritis
and is
called a
Bouchard's
node.
Osteoarthritis
of the joint
at the base
of the big
toe of the
foot leads
to the
formation of
abunion.
Osteoarthritis
of the
fingers and
the toes may
have a
genetic or
hereditary.